30 Budget-Friendly Kitchen Essentials Every 20-Something Cook Should Own

By Nicole Perry
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As a food editor, I'm often asked what I recommend giving 20-somethings who are just beginning to kit out their kitchen. Essentials that aren't outrageously expensive but that are well-made, are highly functional, and will last them for years to come. These 30 items are exactly that, ranging from stocking stuffers to higher-end investment pieces, like a solid chefs knife, an ingeniously designed hand mixer, and an amazingly well-priced enameled dutch oven, all of which are under $100.

Related: 12 Big-Ticket Kitchen Items That Are Actually Worth the Expense

Under $25: Kuhn Rikon Y-Peeler

Under $25: Kuhn Rikon Y-Peeler

Kuhn Rikon peeler ($4)

Under $25: Baggu Reusable Shopping Bag

Under $25: Baggu Reusable Shopping Bag

Baggu reusable shopping bag ($9)

Under $25: Nordic Ware Half Sheet Pan

Under $25: Nordic Ware Half Sheet Pan

Nordic Ware half sheet pan ($15)

Under $25: Microplane Grater

Under $25: Microplane Grater

Microplane grater ($15)

Under $25: Kuhn Rikon Sheathed Paring Knife

Under $25: Kuhn Rikon Sheathed Paring Knife

Kuhn Rikon sheathed paring knife ($10)

Under $25: OXO Large Flexible Spatula

Under $25: OXO Large Flexible Spatula

OXO large flexible spatula ($11)

Under $25: Magnetic Nesting Measuring Spoons

Under $25: Magnetic Nesting Measuring Spoons

Magnetic nesting measuring spoons ($10, originally $20)

Under $25: Set of Pretty Dishtowels

Under $25: Set of Pretty Dishtowels

Set of pretty dishtowels ($24)

Under $25: OXO 11-Inch Whisk

Under $25: OXO 11-Inch Whisk

OXO 11-inch whisk ($10)

Under $25: Magnetic Stainless Steel Dry Measuring Cup Set

Under $25: Magnetic Stainless Steel Dry Measuring Cup Set

Magnetic stainless steel dry measuring cup set ($20)

Under $25: Purple Ball Mason Jars

Under $25: Purple Ball Mason Jars

Purple Ball mason jars ($12 for six)

Under $25: OXO 12-Inch Locking Tongs

Under $25: OXO 12-Inch Locking Tongs

OXO 12-inch locking tongs ($13)

Under $25: OXO Set of Nesting Liquid Measuring Cups

Under $25: OXO Set of Nesting Liquid Measuring Cups

OXO set of nesting liquid measuring cups ($20)

Under $25: Cuisinart Oven Mitts

Under $25: Cuisinart Oven Mitts

Cuisinart oven mitts ($20)

Under $25: Silicone Spatula Set

Under $25: Silicone Spatula Set

Silicone spatula set ($13, originally $32)

Under $25: OXO Bread Knife

Under $25: OXO Bread Knife

OXO bread knife ($20)

Under $50: Waiter's Key Corkscrew

Under $50: Waiter's Key Corkscrew

Waiter's key corkscrew ($35)

Under $50: Martha Stewart Living's One Pot Cookbook

Under $50: Martha Stewart Living's One Pot Cookbook

One Pot: 120+ Easy Meals from Your Skillet, Slow Cooker, Stockpot, and More ($26) by the editors of Martha Stewart Living

Under $50: Lodge 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet

Under $50: Lodge 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet

Lodge 12-inch cast iron skillet ($35, originally $50)

Under $50: How to Cook Everything

Under $50: How to Cook Everything

How to Cook Everything ($35) by Mark Bittman

Under $50: Cuisinart Over-the-Sink Colander

Under $50: Cuisinart Over-the-Sink Colander

Cuisinart over-the-sink colander ($25, originally $45)

Under $50: Food52 Genius Recipes: 100 Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook

Under $50: Food52 Genius Recipes: 100 Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook

Food52 Genius Recipes: 100 Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook ($35) by Kristin Miglore

Under $100: Lodge Enameled Dutch Oven

Under $100: Lodge Enameled Dutch Oven

Lodge enameled dutch oven ($60, originally $118)

Under $100: Set of OXO Nesting Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls

Under $100: Set of OXO Nesting Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls

Set of OXO nesting stainless steel mixing bowls ($60)

Under $100: Epicurean Dishwasher-Safe Wood-Grain Cutting Board

Under $100: Epicurean Dishwasher-Safe Wood-Grain Cutting Board

Epicurean dishwasher-safe wood-grain cutting board ($56-$64, originally $70-$80)

Under $100: Global 8-Inch Chefs Knife

Under $100: Global 8-Inch Chefs Knife

Global 8-inch chefs knife ($94, originally $149)

Under $100: Scanpan 8-Inch Nonstick Skillet

Under $100: Scanpan 8-Inch Nonstick Skillet

Scanpan 8-inch nonstick skillet ($90)

Under $100: KitchenAid Immersion Blender

Under $100: KitchenAid Immersion Blender

KitchenAid immersion blender ($60)

Under $100: KitchenAid Six-Quart Slow Cooker

Under $100: KitchenAid Six-Quart Slow Cooker

KitchenAid six-quart slow-cooker ($90)

Under $100: OXO On Hand Mixer

Under $100: OXO On Hand Mixer

OXO on hand mixer ($80)